In an era where local governments are continuously working to quickly respond to emergencies and natural disasters, the City of Orem Government has taken to social media to encourage residents to stay informed. On December 18th, Orem officials posted on Facebook, urging people to register for Everbridge emergency alerts. With directness typical of municipal communication, they couched their message in a timely holiday theme, stating, "All we want for Christmas is you . . . to sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts," as per the City of Orem Government.
This push for alert sign-ups comes at a crucial time when the reliance on technology to disseminate critical information can literally make a difference between safety and jeopardy. The City of Orem Government promises not to overwhelm residents with unnecessary notifications. Their commitment was clearly articulated in the statement, which affirmed, "It's the best and quickest way to stay connected in the case of an emergency or natural disaster. We will not spam you. It's for critical situations only," as obtained by the City of Orem Government. This nod to brevity and relevance seems to understand the balance that must be struck to not overwhelm, yet to effectively inform.
Everbridge is a platform known for providing governments and organizations with a tool to widely and efficiently communicate with their citizens during emergencies. The technology allows the government to send alerts about a myriad of threats, including severe weather, missing persons, or other public safety concerns. The City of Orem's approach is part of a broader trend among cities to adopt sophisticated communication systems in order to better serve their communities during times when information is most critical.
